As usual, I don't own Ghost Hunt
Mai woke up to the sound of birds chirping gaily, and, eyes still closed in a daze, stretched lazily her numbed limbs. The mornings were still chilly in that season, and she found immense pleasure in nuzzling her fluffy pillow and snuggling under her soft and oh-so-warm quilt.
Then she snapped her eyes open, suddenly remembering her weird dream from the previous night. She didn't fight the flush that engulfed her features at the recollection of the content of said dream. Her night had been full of the narcissistic Shibuya, of all people! And what more, a nice-looking, smiling Naru!
Mai energetically shook her head in a futile attempt to empty it from the mysterious blue-eyed gentleman, and clutched her burning cheeks to cool them down. Why had her mind tricked her into thinking of him? Above all, why had her mind tricked her into imagining such a charming smile on his annoying, handsome and beautiful face? He had seem so sad and gentle and compassionate…
Stop your delusions Mai, it wasn't him.
She groaned in frustration. She had dreamt of the most infuriating gentleman she had ever met, her wild and sly imagination having pictured her in a romantic flowery field with him while she was only wearing her nightgown! She gasped in horror, and her blush intensified so much at the thought of her highly inappropriate state that she could feel actual warmth radiating from her face. Did that mean that she wished to be in such a compromising situation with Shibuya?
The young lady tried to calm her frantic mind and ponder the matter reasonably. She had to honestly admit that Naru was handsome. And probably very intelligent. And intriguing. And his eyes…
"No no no no no!" she whimpered aloud. "You are heading in the wrong direction Mai! He is infuriating and a narcissist and…"
…and his smile, although imaginary, is probably the most beautiful thing you have ever seen, she finished in her mind, sighing in defeat. And she couldn't get the man out of her head, no matter how hard she tried. So, the evident conclusion of her inner debate was that she was probably harboring some romantic feelings for the most prideful and less empathic gentleman of the whole Empire. And she would have to deal with this little…complication. For now, she had one more urgent problem to solve: how was she supposed to face him at breakfast?
Her musings were interrupted by a maid who entered her room, carefully cradling a linen-wrapped packet.
"Good morning, miss, politely greeted the servant. We received some clothes for you from the Hara's mansion. Shall I offer my help to get you dressed, miss?"
"Please," nodded a flustered Mai, "that would be much appreciated."
The maid immediately began to work, expertly helping the young lady to prepare and arrange her hair. The servant was a nice young girl with a round and open face, constantly split in two with a toothy smile. Mai decided on the spot she liked her, and started to befriend the girl.
"Oh, my hair looks lovely, you are really skilled…," Mai complimented the young woman while flashing a blinding smile.
"Sally, miss," proudly replied the maid, blushing at the praise.
"Thank you Sally, I will certainly try to ask Jenkins to do it at home! No wonder miss Madoka's hair is alway so artfully arranged."
"You are too kind, miss."
That was a good start. Mai oriented the chatter on inane subjects, and once she felt the maid was at ease enough with her, tried to gather some information about the owners of Netherfield.
"Tell me, Sally, have you been at the Yasuhara's service for long?"
"For two years now, miss."
"Are you satisfied working here? It must have been very different in London, am I wrong?"
The maid brightened significantly at the mention of the capital.
"It sure was more busy in London, miss. Miss Madoka's evenings and dinners are well renowned, and so many fine people are pressing at her door! The master also gives balls and dinners…He loves such events, and I have heard he is a really skilled dancer."
"That I can confirm," nodded Mai, remembering his display of grace and elegance a few days prior. "In comparison you must find our way of life in the countryside rather dull."
"But it is nice to enjoy the purer air here," defended Sally sheepishly, not wanting to offend the local lady. "And things are less hectic that way."
"You are right, we enjoy things at a more…leisurely pace here. Life is certainly most thrilling in the capital. The gentlemen of Netherfield must find our company boring, I fear."
Sally stared at Mai in horror, and hastily denied the statement.
"Oh no miss, I can assure you they don't! Mr Yasuhara is delighted to be here, and Mr Lin and Mr Da…Shibuya, she added with the slightest stutter, are naturally reserved. Please miss, don't judge them too harshly. They are not always so somber," she sighed, "but the poor gentlemen have been through so much since…"
The maid suddenly bit her lip and wrought her hands nervously, apparently afraid to have said too much. Maid took pity on her and acted as if she hadn't caught wind of the clue about some private topic.
"I am relieved to hear they are acting as themselves," she said innocently. "I feared we had offended them with our lousy manners. We cannot rival London's finery."
"Oh no miss, they aren't that kind of people! They are very dignified, that's for sure. But they are fair and kind with us and our master. You won't hear anyone here speak badly of them!"
It took Mai a great effort not to let show how much the last sentence had surprised her. Hearing that the two moody and haughty gentlemen were well loved by the servants had been totally unforeseen. However, it shed an unexpected light on their character.
Finally, Mai smiled reassuringly to Sally, verbally approved on her views about Lin and Shibuya, thanked her one more time for her handiwork on her hair and dismissed her gently. Her little chat with the maid had been fruitful: there definitely was some tragic mystery around Shibuya, and as far as she knew, Masako was aware of it. Romantic inclinations or not, she was determined to discover what they were hiding to the world.